Spider-Man [1] is great, but when he won't stop shouting catchphrases about shooting webs when I'm trying to work from home or he starts boasting about the Avengers at 10 o'clock at night (when the kids have been asleep for hours — creepy!), I can't say I'm his biggest fan. I appreciate how entertaining interactive, talkative toys can be, but I'm a huge fan of quiet toys for my 3- and 2-year-olds [2]. It's not just they loud toys are annoying, but playing with quiet toys also helps foster creativity [3], cognitive skills, and more, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. It's a win for everyone! They can have their fun, and I can have my peace of mind. Check out a few of my favourite quiet toys for toddlers [4] ahead, and enjoy the bliss of knowing your little ones are having fun while you're enjoying the quiet.
deMoca Quiet Book for Toddlers
Your toddler will stay busy and quiet with the amazing deMoca Quiet Book for Toddlers [5] ($37, originally $50). All the pieces are tethered to this Montessori toy (meaning its also perfect for travelling), and your toddler can match Velcro shapes, practice buckling, telling time, and more.
My First Crayola Double Doodle Board
Kids will love colouring on one side of the My First Crayola Double Doodle Board [6] ($9, originally $13) with the included reusable, washable crayons, then flipping it over to doodle with their fingers on the sealed gel surface. It's so fun, your little one will be entertained for hours!
HABA Town Maze Magnetic Puzzle Game
Explore a fun new town from the comfort of a board with this HABA Town Maze Magnetic Puzzle Game [7] ($23). Toddlers can use the attached magnetic stick to move the colourful blocks throughout the city.
Melissa & Doug Pet Place Puffy Sticker Activity Book
With reusable stickers of adorable animals and accessories, the Melissa & Doug Pet Place Puffy Sticker Activity Book [8] ($8) offers plenty of opportunities for quiet fun. Toddlers can flip through the 10 unique pages to use the 115 reusable stickers however they please.
Coogam Toddler Fine Motor Skill Toy
Match the bees into their correct slots with the Coogam Toddler Fine Motor Skill Toy [9] ($16). Kids will learn matching, colours, and hand-eye coordination — assisted by some jumbo tweezers.
Hrayipt Store Wooden Puzzles for Toddlers
Puzzles are a great toy to keep toddlers happy while flexing their brains. The Hrayipt Store Wooden Puzzles for Toddlers [10] ($20, originally $23) includes six easy-to-solve puzzles featuring a colourful crab, bear, butterfly, owl, turtle, and aeroplane.
My Gifted Education Wooden Stacking Balancing Rainbow Stones
These colourful wood balancing stones are completely captivating. Toddlers and adults will love creatively stacking and playing with the My Gifted Education Wooden Stacking Balancing Rainbow Stones [11] ($29, originally $32).
imoore Montessori Animal Building Block and Puzzle
Your toddler will love the fun shapes and colours with the imoore Montessori Animal Building Block and Puzzle [12] ($24). These animals are fun for stacking or getting creative and acting out fun stories with.
Blockaroo Magnetic Foam Building Blocks
Half the fun of building a tower is knocking it down afterward. Your toddler can now do so in a quiet way with the Blockaroo Magnetic Foam Building Blocks [13] ($49, originally $65), which fall down in a wonderful silence. This set comes with 35 foam magnetic blocks.
Play-Doh Starter Set
Play-Doh is a fun, sensory toy that will boost your toddler's creativity. The Play-Doh Starter Set [14] ($5, originally $10) comes with four different Play-Doh colours, cookie cutter shapes, and accessories for rolling and cutting.
Melissa & Doug Service Station Parking Garage
Kids can get gas, drive around, and park with this city-inspired wooden Melissa & Doug Service Station Parking Garage [15] ($30). The only noise you'll be listening to will be your toddler's vroom vroom sound effects.
Panda Brothers Montessori Screwdriver Board for Kids
Who knew a little handyman could be this quiet? My kids love playing with this Panda Brothers Montessori Screwdriver Board for Kids [16] ($24), featuring a wrench, screwdrivers, and multiple different screws. It's a great way to foster confidence working with tools at a young age.
Wellchild Magnetic Drawing Board for Toddlers
Colour without the mess with this Wellchild Magnetic Drawing Board for Toddlers [17] ($11). This magnetic drawing board has a magnetic pen attached to create whatever you can imagine, and also includes fun shapes and a carrying bag, so you can take it anywhere.
Sesame Street Elmo’s On the Go Letters
This fun Sesame Street Elmo's On the Go Letters [18] ($20) toy features colourful letters and fun Sesame Street characters. It comes in a specially designed carrying case, so your little one can play at home or on the go.
Jollybaby My Quiet Books Playing House
The Jollybaby My Quiet Books Playing House [19] ($19) comes with a doll who can act out different activities in the book, like taking a bath or playing hide-and-seek. And as a bonus, this book is bathtub-safe.
Pop Its Bubble Sensory Fidget Toy
Toddlers can relieve anxiety and entertain themselves with this colourful Pop Its Bubble Sensory Fidget Toy [20] ($11, originally $20). It comes with two Pop Its toys, one a circle shape and one a square, and it's just as fun — but much quieter — than popping a roll of bubble wrap.
omoonwood Wooden Lacing Toy
Quietly learn hand-eye coordination with the omoonwood Wooden Lacing Toy [21] ($20). Choose from a bear, sheep, cat, or rabbit, and have your toddler weave the string in and out for tons of fun.
Disney Princess Magic Ink Colouring Book Set
Tired of markers getting on every surface in your home? Try the Disney Princess Magic Ink Colouring Book Set [22] ($17), which comes with three Imagine Ink Books and magic markers that can only colour on paper.
Götz Natasha Baby Doll
Playing with dolls is a classic toddler activity, and this Götz Natasha Baby Doll [23] ($69) is one of the best. It is totally cuddle-able, with life-like eyelashes and eyes that really close. Of course, it also has plenty of extra accessories you can buy for even more dress-up fun.
Disney Spider-Man Plush
Finally, a Spider-Man toy that saves the catchphrases for the movies. The Disney Spider-Man Plush [24] ($17) is soft for cuddling, and totally cool for fighting bad guys. Your toddler will love it.